If you have ever experienced heart palpitations while walking, you know firsthand how unpleasant and frightening they can be. Fortunately, heart palpitations are rarely serious. Many external factors can contribute to the odd sensation you feel in your chest. However, if you have cardiovascular risk factors, you should consult a doctor, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms or if your palpitation episodes are frequent.
What Are Palpitations?
Palpitations are feelings of a racing heart. A heart rate over 100 beats per minutes is called tachycardia, and it can make people feel as if their heart has an extra beat. This condition is referred to as extrasystole. How heart palpitations are perceived will vary depending on the individual. Needless to say, the sensation of a racing heart can be worrisome.
Causes
Most cases of palpitations are not a cause for concern. Caffeine is often associated with them. If you experience heart palpitations while walking, consider curbing your caffeine consumption. Symptoms caused by caffeine consumption generally clear up quickly after you reduce your intake. For some individuals, exercise may also trigger palpitations. Medications such as antihistamines containing pseudoephedrine, or asthma medications containing stimulants, may also cause palpitations. Palpitations are also a common symptom associated with the fluctuating hormones of menopause.
Prevention
Prior to walking or any other exercise, you should avoid consumption of stimulants. Walking will raise your heart rate. Combined with the effects of stimulants, this sets the stage for palpitations. If you are walking to lose weight, you should avoid using diet pills, which can also elevate your heart rate. Since stress and anxiety can also contribute to rising heart rates, you may want to consider making your exercise a walking meditation. With this type of meditation, you focus on the movement of your body rather than allowing the distractions of other thoughts to increase your stress.
When to See the Doctor
While rarely a cause for concern, heart palpitations can indicate a more serious condition such as an abnormal heart valve or a low potassium level. If you frequently experience heart palpitations while walking, consult your doctor, especially if you have other heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure or you have experienced a previous heart attack. If your palpitations are accompanied by chest pain or lightheadedness, seek help immediately.
References
- Medline Plus: Heart Palpitations
- Mayo Clinic: Heart Palpitations - Causes
- Epigee: Menopause and Heart Palpitations
- "Mind Walks"; M. Frakes; 1999
